Herbert Hoover: A Reminiscent Biography

Herbert C. Hoover (1874-1964) served one term as President of the United States, from 1929, until 1933. He met his wife, Lou Henry, who was the only female Geology major at Stanford University, while he attended there. The pair delayed marriage so Lou could finish her education, while Herbert could build his career abroad. He was a very successful mining engineer, and later became known for his humanitarian efforts during World War I, particularly for his aid to Belgium, while he led the U.S. Food Administration. Lou was a very successful scholar, learning Latin, Chinese and continuing her work in studying metallurgy, but it was slowed down by her raising of their two children, Herbert Charles Hoover and Allan Henry Hoover.

After his only eight months in office, the Great Depression occurred. Despite attempts to control it, including the Hoover Dam, and other large public infrastructure projects, and various attempts to push for higher wages, his efforts failed. He also supported Prohibition, which made him even less popular. He was overwhelmingly defeated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 election. Hoover remained near politics, as a vocal opponent of federal government growth. After World War Ii, he served in a few government roles, particularly those seeking to improve efficiency and foreign relations in Europe.

This new edition is dedicated to Richard Sousa, long an important part of the Hoover Institution